A website created by two Curtin University School of Built Environment lecturers that matches Perth businesses with underutilised spaces has taken out a prize at last night’s Western Australian Heritage Awards.
Nic Brunsdon and Beth George’s program, Spacemarket, took out the Outstanding Newcomer: Professor David Dolan Award.
The award is named after the highly regarded Curtin professor and heritage champion, David Dolan, who passed away in December 2010.
Professor Dolan was the Director of Curtin University’s Cultural Heritage Program.
Mr Brunsdon said that it was an honour to receive recognition for their website that has already matched 50 small businesses with rental premises since it was first launched in 2011.
“Spacemarket has been widely embraced by Perth as a way to find unique rental premises in the Perth commercial market,” he said.
“By using Spacemarket, we are giving life to forgotten pieces of the city by embracing our built heritage.
“We are beginning to see people work together to hunt for floorspace and to overcome some of the challenges that are presented when trying to acquire temporary or long-term tenancies.
“We are celebrating WA’s heritage by working with property owners with significant buildings that may have spaces such as upper floors, basements or spare rooms that are not being utilised to their full potential.
“Spacemarket is also educating young businesses about compliance issues and by doing so we are giving people the tools to enter rental negotiations on a more even playing field.”
Both architects by profession, Mr Brunsdon and Ms George are lecturers with Curtin University’s School of Built Environment.
Contact:
Nic Brunsdon, Co-founder of Spacemarket, Curtin University Lecturer
Tel: 0416 172 710
Gracie Daniel, Public Relations Consultant
Tel: 08 9266 3353, Email: gracie.daniel@curtin.edu.au
Web: http://curtin.edu.au
